Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku has refuted claims by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua linking him to alleged threats of election violence ahead of the Mbeere North by-election set for November 27, 2025.
In a statement released in on Thursday, Ruku accused the former Deputy President of spreading hate speech and engaging in political theatrics aimed at stirring emotions and misleading the public.
He described Gachagua’s letter to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, as an attempt to create unnecessary tension and malign his name.
“I have come across a letter attributed to the DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, EGH, that makes reference to a video clip allegedly showing individuals issuing threats of violence on the people of Mbeere North and himself,” Ruku said. “Hon. Gachagua’s letter is therefore nothing but one of his usual hate speeches that are meant to whip public emotions and hatred against me.”
The Cabinet Secretary admitted that two of the people mentioned in the video Josiah Kariuki Ngari, also known as Mtetezi Puff, and Susan Nyaga were familiar to him, but clarified that he could not be held accountable for their “private activities or utterances.”
He further faulted Gachagua for failing to follow the proper legal process, saying, “If indeed Gachagua was aggrieved by the said video clip as he claims, his first port of call ought to have been the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).”
Ruku also dismissed Gachagua’s planned visit to Mbeere North, accusing him of using it to advance divisive politics rather than genuine political engagement.
“His visit is only intended to further his hate speeches, advocacy of hatred and disrespect for the rights and reputations of other leaders,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the DCP had already withdrawn its candidate from the by-election and was not part of any coalition contesting the seat.
“Therefore, Hon. Gachagua has no political party or cause to campaign for in Mbeere North Constituency,” he said.
Ruku urged residents to reject incitement and focus on development issues affecting the area. “Mbeere North deserves better, it deserves solutions to water, transportation, education, energy, and food security challenges, not hate speeches and advocacy of hatred,” he said.
This follows a letter by DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Wednesday, in which he raised concerns about alleged threats to his safety ahead of the Mbeere North by-election.
In the letter, Gachagua pointed to what he called imminent violence, citing widely circulated videos on social media and demanding swift police action.
He named Simon Njagi Njiru (alias Gikundo wa Gikundo), Josiah Kariuki Ngari (alias Mtetezi Puff), and Susan Nyaga as individuals allegedly behind the threats, claiming they were linked to Governor Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
